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Sparkle (0)
I was typing away, responding to KWiz's post in the forums, and I thought that it was such an intersting and relevant issue she raised (about the intra-racial dynamics within the black community and how it affects young women) that I would post my response here:
I think that this is a very important issue. I could write a whole book about my experiences coming to terms with my identity as a trans-racial adoptee growing up in a white family...in Canada....in a rural community.
I agree, the pain from being discriminated against by your own seems to hurt a lot more than from others, as there is an expectation of unity based on a shared cultural background. On the other hand, I think that for some, they have been ingrained to hate themselves, have observed that the outside world emphasizes what is more 'suitable' and some people are treated better than others because of the hue of their skin or texture of their hair. Some people buy into those stereotypes as a way to make sense of this crazy world. when I was a kid, Barbie dolls were all the rage, and I sure as hell couldn't relate to that!
To some, this is a survival technique - to others, it is a way to make themselves feel superior over others because they doubt their own abilities.This goes back to slavery and the residual affects of European colonialism in the Carribean and parts of Africa.
It is easier to buy into what you think is acceptable than to think on your own and treat When I was 18, I moved to a big city, hoping to meet and be accepted by other blacks and was sorely disapointed. To this day (I'm in my mid-thirties) I still struggle with not 'fitting in,' and though I have been very active in cultural groups and write about race & ethnicity, my lack of cultural roots is problematic to many people I have interacted with over the years.
Anyway, I will look forward to the evolution of this thread. Welcome aboard!
